The Big 5 refers to the African lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. If you’ve ever looked into going on an African safari, you’ve probably come across this term. These iconic animals are considered the ultimate wildlife sightings – powerful, majestic, and unforgettable.
Historically, their size, strength, and defensive nature made them some of the most dangerous animals to encounter on foot. Unfortunately, this reputation, combined with hunting, poaching, and habitat loss, caused their once-abundant populations to decline drastically. Today, spotting one of the Big 5 in the wild is a rare and treasured moment – even on safari!
Interesting Fact: Lions are the only social ‘big cats’. They live in groups called prides, often consisting of one male, related females, and their offspring.
Size: Male lions weigh about 190 kg and measure up to 2.7 meters in length.
Where They’re Found: Although lions are called the ‘king of the jungle’, they don’t actually live in the jungle. They can be found in savannahs, grasslands, open plains, and semi-dessert landscapes across Africa.Â
Interesting Fact:Â Elephants have remarkable communication skills and use a wide range of sounds, body movements, and rumbles below human hearing (infrasound).
Size: African elephants are the largest land animals on earth, with males weighing around 5,000 kg and standing about 3-4 meters tall at the shoulder.
Where They’re Found: Elephants are found across Africa, in savannahs, forests, grasslands, and even the mountains.
Interesting Fact: Leopards are great climbers and like to carry their prey into trees out of reach of other predators.
Size: Leopards vary in size, with males weighing 36 to 91 kg, and measuring about 1.4 to 1.9 meters in length, excluding the tail.
Where They’re Found: Leopards are adaptable and inhabit a wide range of environments, including forests, grasslands, and mountains.
Interesting Fact: Buffalos are great at defending themselves. Buffalo herds form tight groups to fend off predators and can even fight off lion attacks.
Size:Â Buffaloes weigh between 450 to 900 kg and stand 1.7 to 2.0 meters tall at the shoulder.
Where They’re Found: These bovines travel in large herds and inhabit a variety of habitats in sub-Saharan Africa.
Interesting Fact:Â There are two sub-species of African rhino, the ‘white rhino’ and ‘black rhino’. Traditionally, the black rhino was the only species of rhino considered to part of the Big 5, but both the white rhino and black rhino are now equally placed on Africa’s list of Big 5 wildlife.Â
Size:Â Black rhinos weigh 800 to 1,400 kg and stand 1.4 to 1.8 meters tall. White rhinos are larger, weighing 1,360 to 2,300 kg and stand 1.5 to 1.8 meters tall.
Where They’re Found: Black rhinos are scattered across southern and eastern Africa, while white rhinos are found mainly in southern Africa, particularly in grasslands and savannahs.
Aquila is proud to have reintroduced the Big 5 to the Western Cape and remains deeply committed to the preservation of wildlife. Our conservation efforts go beyond protecting these iconic animals, extending to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, species reintroduction, land restoration, anti-poaching initiatives, eco-conscious tourism, and community upliftment programmes.
Around 250 years ago, the Big 5 had all but disappeared from the Western Cape. Decades of hunting, agricultural expansion, and habitat loss had driven many species to the brink of extinction. Determined to change this, Aquila’s founder, Searl Derman, began the search for a location where these magnificent creatures could once again roam free. That search led him to a remarkable stretch of land – one that would become the wildlife sanctuary and private reserve now known as Aquila.
Here at Aquila, we believe in providing children with the unique opportunity to see and learn about South Africa’s incredible plants, majestic animals, and unique habitats. By exploring the reserve, children can develop a deep appreciation for nature while learning about the importance of wildlife conservation. From the curious giraffes to formidable hippos, we invite you to embark on our family-friendly Cape Town safari for the chance to see lions, elephants, zebras, ostriches, rhinos, and more.
